This IDC Insight examines the market dynamics that are creating a greater demand for different types of two-factor and multifactor authentication. This document also outlines how smart card technology vendors are adapting their products and services to fill both enterprise and consumer needs for security in this area. Smart cards are broadly defined as intelligent cards with embedded microchip technology that can be programmed to hold data, cash, or personal information for identification and authorization. The technology can also be used for telephone and other communications, electronic cash payments online, and contactless payments, and increasingly in medical records and patient identification as well as other services.

Leading vendors in this market include (in no particular order) ActivIdentity, Axalto (formerly Schlumberger Smart Cards and Terminals), Gemplus, and VASCO.